Opposition leader and president ofMalawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera, on Friday cheered up victims of Bingu National Stadium stampede-tragedy where 8 people lost their lives and 45 others were injured.

Chakwera speaking soon after the visit said he was deeply touched over the untimely death of the the seven children and one elder.

Chakwera said there is need for Government to set up the independent investigators over the matter.

“Its commendable that Government has started doing investigations on the matter however its important on that Government should set up an independent body to do proper investigations on the matter because Government cannot investigate itself,” said Chakwera.

As the prayers marking 53 years of independence celebrations were getting to its climax at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, the mood was suddenly dampened with news that eight people had died while making their way into Bingu National Stadium (BNS).

The sad news started filtering in as mere rumours mainly through the social media, later developed into a true but painful story, and when Chairperson for the officiating clergy during the prayers, Dr Timothy Nyasulu, came on the podium to make the announcement, the BNS auditorium which was packed to the brim went into total silence.

“Am sorry to interrupt the flow of our programme here, I have some very unfortunate news which has just reached us. We have received a report that 42 of our brothers and sisters who were entering the stadium at BNS in area 49 have been injured and eight have died,” said Dr Nyasulu.

It was at this point that people started believing the images that had come through on many people’s phones depicting people, mainly children lying unconscious as security personnel and other civilians tried to offer help of different types.

The BNS was the venue for a football match between Silver Strikers and Big Bullets as an extension to the independence anniversary celebrations and President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika was to be guest of honour.

With the turnout of events, immediately after the prayers at BICC, President Professor Mutharika was forced to rush to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) to visit the victims of the tragedy where he described the development as very shocking and unfortunate.

Chakwera,you are one-sided.The brutal murders of D.Matenje,Twaibu Sangala and Aaron Gadama had gone without investigations as if they were dogs.So you want to capitalise the tragic demise of our brothers who were killed during the stampede at independence cerebrations of 53 years.How many Malawians have been killed during the rule of the dreaded MCP and yet,there was not a single investigation.Chakwera,we know that you abandoned God to enjoy the free money from poor Malawian Christians but,you will never go anywhere because the spirits of those innocent Malawians killed by your Party,will haunt you for ever.

Fire Mwanamvekha for concealing budget . It has to be transparent and accountable and not that the sponsors do not want their names revealed..silly thief
Fire musa as well and ig of police and redcross president

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1 year ago

Guest

Keen Observer

Mr Chakwera this is an accident & instead of us all feel sorry for the lost precious lives, then you want to start pointing fingers in order to gain political mileage? The commission of inquiry is indeed required in order to determine the cause of the stampede not 5 hat the government can not investigate itself. It’s an accident, stampeded have been happening the world over even in the developen countries. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

From start it was a blue function
Akuti ma cadet ndiomwe amalowetsa anthu
They should have let officials with experience in soccer or sports to handle things not dpp.
I know nobody will b punished as usual.May b a poor cop who was ordered to tear gas
Next time let them go there alone we outsiders shouldnt.